Trump tweet blaming water diversion for fires baffles...

1of59Anna Noland (right) checks her home as James Nash takes a moment with their daughter Kailyn Nash, 16, at 16925 Cape Cod Drive in the Lake Keswick Estates neighborhood of Redding.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

2of59The remains of a destroyed house on Sunkist Court in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding.Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

3of59A lamppost stands at a destroyed home along Puffin Way off of Cape Cod Drive in Redding.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

4of59The charred remains of two cars and a home along Puffin Way off of Cape Cod Drive in Redding.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

5of59Thor Johnson watches firefighters do cleanup work on destroyed houses across Sunkist Court from his intact house in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding.Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

6of59Firefighters work on cleanup near a burned tree in the backyard of a destroyed house along Sunflower Drive in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding.Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

7of59The destroyed appliances along Puffin Way off of Cape Cod Drive in Redding.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

9of59Anna Noland's gnome survived the Carr Fire at her home at 16925 Cape Cod Drive in the Lake Keswick Estates neighborhood, Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Redding, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

10of59A burnt fence on Puffin Way in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif. on Sunday, July 29, 2018.Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

11of59A Cal Fire crew member from San Diego puts out hot spots amongst destroyed houses on Menlo Way in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif. on Sunday, July 29, 2018.Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

12of59Anna Noland, Kailyn Nash, 16, and James Nash at 16925 Cape Cod Drive in the Lake Keswick Estates neighborhood on Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Redding, Calif. As of Sunday morning, more than 5,000 structures were destroyed and five people died in the Carr Fire. The fire has burned 90,000 acres and 5% has been contained.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

13of59A firefighter does clean up on a home on Sunflower Drive in the aftermath of the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif. on Sunday, July 29, 2018.Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

14of59Redding Police Department investigator Rusty Bishop searches a destroyed home along the 11000 block of Quartz Hill Road as they investigate missing person reports during the Carr Fire on Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Redding, Calif. The Carr Fire that burned into Redding grew to 80,900 acres � around 125 square miles � and was only 5 percent contained as of Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. Two firefighters have died in the blaze.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

15of59From left: Redding Police Department investigators Timothy Renault and Rusty Bishop search the area along the 11000 block of Quartz Hill Road as they investigate missing person reports during the Carr Fire on Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Redding, Calif. The Carr Fire that burned into Redding grew to 80,900 acres � around 125 square miles � and was only 5 percent contained as of Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. Two firefighters have died in the blaze.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

16of59Evacuees Cornelius Wurschmitd and Aaron LIcker (right) sit outside in the parking lot of the Red Cross evacuation center at Shasta College in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

17of59Homeless man Cody Dilcuk rests on a bridge as the Carr Fire burns off in the distance in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

18of59A destroyed property at Lake Keswick Estates is seen after the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Saturday, July 28, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

19of59Destroyed properties are seen on Menlo Way and Keswick Dam Road after the Carr Fire destroyed the area in Redding, California, on Saturday, July 28, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

20of59The damage from the Carr Fire off of Highway 299 on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Redding, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

21of59The Carr Fire between Whiskeytown and Shasta off of Highway 299 on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Shasta County, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

22of59A burning home near N. Slope Drive off of Highway 299 in Redding during the Carr Fire on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Shasta County, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

23of59A burning house on Sunriver Lane during the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

24of59Firefighters work on a burning house on Sunriver Lane during the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

25of59(l-r) Evacuees Marilyn White, Bobbie Trochim, Nikki Trochim stand on the side of Highway 299 waiting to be allowed back to their houses during the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

26of59A water dropping Sky Crane helicopter circles back to drop it's payload on the Carr Fire as it burns out of control away from downtown Redding, Friday 27 July 2018 in Shasta, CA.Photo: Peter DaSilva

27of59A fire retardant bomber drops it's payload on the Carr Fire as it burns out of control away from downtown Redding, Friday 27 July 2018 in Shasta, CA.Photo: Peter DaSilva

28of59Cal Fire vehicles head towards Redding from Shasta along Highway 299 during the Carr Fire on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Shasta County, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

29of59Celia Corona holds a cat named Jynx after is was found in a bush near a home that was destroyed by the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A Redding firefighter and bulldozer operator were killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire that has burned over 44,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is 3 percent contained. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

30of59A view of homes that were destroyed by the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A Redding firefighter and bulldozer operator were killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire that has burned over 44,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is 3 percent contained. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

31of59The damage from the Carr Fire off of Highway 299 on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Redding, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

32of59Burnt out remains at the town of Kewsick, Calif., after the Carr Fire burned thru it last night on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS)Photo: Hector Amezcua, TNS

33of59A woman, who declined to give her name, surveys damage to her grandmother's house after the Carr Fire burned through Redding, Calif., on Friday, July 27, 2018. Officials say the extremely erratic wildfire in and around the city of Redding is growing rapidly amid scorching temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)Photo: Noah Berger, Associated Press

34of59A Cal Fire firefighter sprays water on a home that was destroyed by the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A Redding firefighter and bulldozer operator were killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire that has burned over 44,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is 3 percent contained. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

35of59A destroyed property on Sunflower Drive after the Carr Fire tore through it in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

36of59A firefighter works on a burning house on Sunriver Lane during the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

37of59The Carr Fire between Whiskeytown and Shasta off of Highway 299 on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Shasta County, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

38of59Burned out remains of a quad sits a by a small out-building along HWY 299 after the Carr Fire burned out of control towards downtown Redding, Friday 27 July 2018 in Shasta, CA.Photo: Peter DaSilva

39of59Sunflowers are wilted on Sunflower Drive after the Carr Fire tore through the area in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

40of59A house on Sunflower Drive and Sunriver Lane burns in the Carr Fire in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27th, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

41of59A charred and burned utility pole falss along Lower Spring Rd. after the Carr Fire burned out of control towards downtown Redding on Friday 27 July 2018 in Redding, CA.Photo: Peter DaSilva

42of59A real estate sign is seen in front of a burning home during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One firefighter has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region.Photo: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images

44of59A burning home is reflected in a pool during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One firefighter has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region.Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images

45of59Firefighters monitor a backfire during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One person has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region. / AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSONJOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty ImagesPhoto: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images

46of59An inmate firefighter pauses during a firing operation as the Carr fire continues to burn in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One person has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region.Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images

47of59A home burns along Sunflower Road during the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A firefighter was killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is reportedly only 6 percent contained.Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

48of59A house burns during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One firefighter has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region. Photo: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images

49of59A firefighter lights backfires during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One firefighter has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region. One person has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region. Photo: JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty Images

50of59A home burns along Sunflower Road during the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A firefighter was killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is reportedly only 6 percent contained. Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

51of59A home burns along Sunflower Road during the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A firefighter was killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is reportedly only 6 percent contained. Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

52of59A house burns during the Carr fire in Redding, California on July 27, 2018. One firefighter has died and at least two others have been injured as wind-whipped flames tore through the region. Photo: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images

53of59A home burns along Sunflower Road during the Carr Fire on July 27, 2018 in Redding, California. A firefighter was killed battling the fast moving Carr Fire which has burned over 28,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes. The fire is reportedly only 6 percent contained.Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

58of59A firefighter works to battle the Carr Fire at a home in Redding, Calif., Thursday, July 26, 2018.Photo: Daniel Kim, Associated Press

59of59The Carr Fire burns off in the distance over the Sacramento River in Redding, California, on Friday, July 27, 2018.Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

When President Trump sent his first tweet about the current California wildfires, which have killed nine people and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, he chose the moment to zero in on water policy — leaving some scratching their heads.

“California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized,” he tweeted Sunday. “It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!”

California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!

Asked whether firefighters at the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires are short on water, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Lynette Round replied, “Not that I’m aware of. ... but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”

But the tweet had LeRoy Westerling, a UC Merced professor specializing in wildfire and climatology, chuckling.

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President Trump took to twitter again...this time it appears that he is placing the blame for the massive wildfires in California on the state’s environmental laws. Veuer's Chandra Lanier has the story.

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“On the water side, it boggles the mind,” he said. “We do manage all of our rivers in California, and all the water is allocated many times over. So I’m not sure what he was recommending.

“Even if we eliminated all habitat for riparian species and fish, and allowed saltwater intrusion into the delta and set up a sprinkler system over the state, that wouldn’t compensate for greater moisture loss from climate change.”

Westerling said his version of a tweet explaining the severity of the wildfires would read: “Ongoing warming and accelerated climate change are driving unpredictable increases and extreme fire in California across a wide range of ecosystems.”

Jonathan Kauffman has been writing about food for The Chronicle since the spring of 2014. He focuses on the intersection of food and culture — whether that be profiling chefs, tracking new trends in nonwestern cuisines, or examining the impact of technology on the way we eat.

After cooking for a number of years in Minnesota and San Francisco, Kauffman left the kitchen to become a journalist. He reviewed restaurants for 11 years in the Bay Area and Seattle (East Bay Express, Seattle Weekly, SF Weekly) before abandoning criticism in order to tell the stories behind the food. His first book, “Hippie Food: How Back-to-the-Landers, Longhairs and Revolutionaries Changed the Way We Eat,” was published in 2018.